Fishermen Find Missile-like Objects In South Sulawesi

TNI AL while securing foreign objects such as missiles/Photo: Antara

MAKASSAR - The Indonesian Navy managed to secure and bring two units of foreign objects that resemble missiles found by fishermen from the Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi, to the dock for the Maintenance and Repair Facility for the Main Base of the Indonesian Navy VI/Makassar.

The two objects arrived in Makassar using KRI Fatahillah-361 on Saturday 19 February, then handed over from the Commander of the Guskamla Koarmada II TNI AL, First Admiral TNI I Gung Putu Alit Jaya, to the Commander of the TNI AL VI/Makassar Main Base, First Admiral TNI Dr. Benny Sukandari, on the stern deck of KRI Fatahillah-361.

Sukandari told the press that these foreign objects are often found around the Selayar Islands Regency, which is part of the Indonesian Archipelago Sea Lane (ALKI) II. ALKI II stretches from north to south starting from the Makassar Strait, the Sulawesi Sea, the Makassar Strait, the eastern Java Sea, and the Lombok Strait.

ALKI II is a busy sea route passed by military and civilian ships that have their own missions that take advantage of the leeway situation of the vastness of Indonesian waters, especially in ALKI II.

"The two units of objects are underwater survey tools that are released underwater and are controlled by the mother ship. Furthermore, the data from this tool will be transferred via a data cable to the mother ship, so that the data obtained will be collected and recorded for certain purposes from the ship that controls this tool," he said.

Data that can be taken from this underwater survey tool include conditions in the sea ranging from temperature, salinity, currents, tides, seismic, including natural resources such as minerals and others. This data is very crucial and important for the military, including for the benefit of submarine operations.

Several months ago, the presence of similar equipment with foreign characters from Asian countries also occurred in Indonesian sovereign waters.

He is sure this tool is not a missile but a Side Scan Sonar (SSS) device and if you see the indicator light of the sensor is still flashing, of course, this tool is still active and keeps recording until the indicator light goes out.

"With the discovery of this tool, hopefully, later the Indonesian Navy Research and Development Service can conduct further research and re-record the results of the data contained in the SSS," he said.

The success of the Indonesian Navy in securing foreign objects such as missiles is also in accordance with the emphasis of the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Yudo Margono, on maritime security and protecting the wealth contained in it, so that there is synergy between the Indonesian Navy and stakeholders in coastal areas and islands, must be solid.

"All of this is to realize maritime security for the welfare of the Indonesian people," said Sukandari.

The two units of equipment, which weigh approximately five kg each, include a green unit found by a Selayar Islands fisherman named Arifin Lewa on February 9, 2022, and an orange unit found approximately 10 years ago.

The two tools bearing plates that read "Made In USA" were also found in the same place, namely on Jampea Island, Selayar Islands Regency.

Previously, the Indonesian Navy also managed to secure an object similar to an active marine drone that was found by residents of Karompa Island, Pasimbena District, without a special sign in 2020.